10 Things Your Drugstore Won’t Say
This WSJ article by Jen Wieczner discusses modern pharmacies and how many are expanding their roles. Today's and future pharmacies are not your grandfather's pharmacies of yesteryear any more. Many pharmacies are getting much bigger and offering many more services, such as high tech systems to help patients, etc. Some pharmacists are now taking on some of the responsibilities that were previously typical of the doctor's job including wellness exams, flu shots, etc. Click below to read more.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-things-your-drugstore-wont-say-2013-03-21
How To Haggle Down Your Medical Bills
An informative Wall Street Journal article by Jen Wieczner that shows creative ways to negotiate your medical bills lower, extend the payments, and delay bill due dates. She mentions that high medical bills are often cited as a major contributor to consumer debt and even personal bankruptcy. Click on the link below to read more.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-haggle-down-your-medical-bills-2013-05-10?siteid=nwhpf
How To Handle a Loved One’s Final Medical Expenses
Informative MarketWatch article by Bill Bischoff regarding handling a loved one’s final medical expenses for Federal Tax Purposes.
To read the full article click link below:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-handle-a-loved-ones-final-medical-expenses-2015-08-11
Increasing Number Of Seniors Want To Stay In Their Homes As They Grow Older!
I read an informative Sarasota Herald-Tribune article by Michael Moore Jr. and thought I’d share some of their thoughts.
Excerpts:
"Baby boomers, according to Trulia’s Housing Economics Research Team, are holding onto their homes at an increasing rate heading into retirement.”1
"A 2018 national AARP survey shows that 3 out of 4 adults want to stay in their homes and communities as they grow older. But the reality of aging in place comes with a distinct set of challenges - challenges acknowledged by those who took the AARP survey, as only 59% of those who want to age in their home feel like they will be able to do so.”1
Cost is a major consideration when determining where you will live as you age. Nursing homes can be extremely expensive and if not planned for in advance with Long Term Care Insurance, it can wipe out your entire retirement savings very quickly! Although staying at home may have lower total costs than a nursing home facility, even living at home still has significant costs! You need to consider the costs of such things as (but not limited to) hiring a private duty caretaker service to come to your home to assist you when you cannot completely care for yourself and/or Adult Day Care, etc.
Long Term Insurance can cover Nursing Home Care, Home Health Care, Adult Day Care and more, so it is best to explore your options now, well in advance of when you will actually need the coverage! Later in life as you get older and your health deteriorates you may not even qualify to purchase Long Term Care at that time and even if you do still qualify, it becomes increasing expensive the longer you wait to purchase a policy!
1. Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune article by Michael Moore Jr.
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20190715/aging-in-place-is-on-rise-but-is-it-for-you
Article is no longer available at the web link in the source, but that was the original source.
Contact me at (941) 404-5334 to discuss your long term care options and/or get you started on the right track of getting yourself insured.
Smartphone Pictures Pose Privacy Risks
Pictures taken with today's smartphones/tablets often carry data tags showing where the picture was taken, a feature you can turn off.
Click the link below to watch a short video about the dangers, especially if you have children!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2vARzvWxwY
Social Security COLA 2023 Benefits Are Rising 8.7%
I just read this information on a MarketWatch article by Jessica Hall and Alessandra Malito. I thought I would share for those of you that are interested due to receiving Social Security already or will be soon.
Some highlights from the article are:
- The cost-of-living adjustment for 2023 will be 8.7%, according to the Social Security Administration — the largest increase for Social Security benefits in more than four decades.1
- On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.1
- Medicare Part B premiums might also be impacted. Most beneficiaries must pay a standard premium for this part of their insurance every month, but those with higher incomes pay more. In 2023, Medicare Part B premiums are decreasing about $5 a month, from $170.10 in 2022 to $164.90 in 2023.1
- Another change will be an increase in the amount of maximum earnings subject to the Social Security tax. The amount will increase to $160,200 from $147,000.1
- The earnings limit for workers who are younger than full retirement age will increase to $21,240 and the earnings limit for people reaching their full retirement age in 2023 will increase to $56,520. There is no limit on earnings for workers who are full retirement age or older for the entire year.1
To read more, click on the web link below:
1. Source: MarketWatch Article by Jessica Hall and Alessandra Malito - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/social-security-cola-2023-benefits-are-getting-an-8-7-bump-heres-what-that-means-for-recipients-11665664451
The Fight To Lower Prescription Drug Prices
I read an informative AARP Bulletin article regarding a 5-point plan to try to help lower prescription drug prices by Linda Marsa and thought I’d share.
Some excerpts from the article that stood out to me were:
"The plan details how to use Medicare’s negotiating power, careful importation, new approaches to generic drugs and other measures to lower prescription drug prices. In addition, the report puts a spotlight on how drugmakers use coupons and other marketing tools to keep list prices high, and details the surprising barriers that block access to lower-cost generic medicines.”1
"Drug prices continue to rise far faster than the rate of inflation. The average annual cost of a brand-name drug has more than tripled in the past decade, jumping from $1,868 in 2006 to $6,798 in 2017, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. Older adults now take an average of 4.5 medications each month, which can add up to a total retail cost of more than $30,000 a year for brand-name drugs.”2
“... AARP believes that a combination of tactics can bring drug prices under control. These include giving the federal government the ability to negotiate when buying drugs, legalizing the safe importation of drugs sold at lower prices in other countries and capping patients’ out-of-pocket costs. A final approach is to change patent rules that allow manufacturers of brand-name pharmaceuticals to freeze out competition from generic alternatives that could lower prices.”2
To read the entire article click on the web link below:
https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2019/5-point-prescription-drug-plan.html
1. Source: https://press.aarp.org/2019-5-2-may-aarp-bulletin-the-fight-to-lower-prescription-drug-prices
2. Source: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2019/5-point-prescription-drug-plan.html
Note: Medicare Insurance information can be overwhelming and confusing to many people. As an independent licensed agent I can explain things to you in simple terms so you feel comfortable making a decision. Then I can help you choose and enroll in a plan that you feel fits your needs.
By the way, it doesn’t cost you any more if you enroll in a Medicare Insurance plan through me as an independent agent versus directly with an insurance company either over the phone or via the Internet, since I get paid by the insurance companies for your enrollment. Plus you will have personalized service by a local agent. If you would like my assistance, please call me at 941-404-5334.
By calling this number, I understand I will be directed to a licensed insurance sales agent.
Understanding Your Medical Bills & What To Do About Mistakes On Them!
I read some very informative Consumer Report articles1 regarding Medical bills and I thought I’d share.
Click on the web links below to read each article:
Sick of Confusing Medical Bills?
https://www.consumerreports.org/medical-billing/sick-of-confusing-medical-bills/
How to Get Help With Your Medical Bills
https://www.consumerreports.org/medical-billing/how-to-get-help-with-your-medical-bills/
6 Ways to Fix Mistakes on Your Medical Bills
https://www.consumerreports.org/medical-billing/ways-to-fix-medical-billing-mistakes/
FYI: At the time of this writing, I am currently a member with Consumer Report. However these web links above seemed to work for non-members as well at the time of this posting.
1. Source: Consumer Reports - September 2018 Magazine edition and online at the above web links.
Note for folks new to Medicare:
Medicare Insurance information can be overwhelming and confusing to many people. As an independent licensed agent I can explain things to you in simple terms so you feel comfortable making a decision. Then I can help you choose and enroll in a plan that you feel fits your needs.
By the way, it doesn’t cost you any more if you enroll in a Medicare Insurance plan through me as an independent agent versus directly with an insurance company either over the phone or via the Internet, since I get paid by the insurance companies for your enrollment. Plus you will have personalized service by a local agent. If you would like my assistance, please call me at 941-404-5334.
By calling this number, I understand I will be directed to a licensed insurance sales agent.
Why Do Americans Pay More For Drugs?
I read this interesting MarketWatch article by Robin Feldman regarding why Americans pay more for drugs and I thought it was worth sharing.
Excerpts:
Consider Medicare, the U.S. health insurance system for people over the age of 65. Even accounting for rebates, spending by Medicare beneficiaries for brand-name drugs rose 62% between 2011 and 2015. Most of those over the age of 65 did not receive 62% more salary or pension over that period, so the steep rise in prices is causing people real pain.1
Pharmaceutical companies have willfully distorted the prescription-drug market, but nearly all health-care players are complicit. Disrupting such a lucrative, well-entrenched system requires several specific changes — and, above all, the political will to end business as usual.1
Click on the web link below to read the entire article:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-do-americans-pay-more-for-drugs-2019-04-24
1. Source: MarketWatch article by Robin Feldman
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-do-americans-pay-more-for-drugs-2019-04-24
Note: Medicare Insurance information can be overwhelming and confusing to many people. As an independent licensed agent I can explain things to you in simple terms so you feel comfortable making a decision. Then I can help you choose and enroll in a plan that you feel fits your needs.
By the way, it doesn’t cost you any more if you enroll in a Medicare Insurance plan through me as an independent agent versus directly with an insurance company either over the phone or via the Internet, since I get paid by the insurance companies for your enrollment. Plus you will have personalized service by a local agent. If you would like my assistance, please call me at 941-404-5334.
By calling this number, I understand I will be directed to a licensed insurance sales agent.
Why Drug Prices Remain So High & 6 Saving Tips
I just read two interesting MarketWatch articles by Elizabeth O’Brien regarding prescription drugs and thought I’d share them.
The first article is about why prescription drugs remain so high and six things you can do to save.
Click on web link below to read 1st article:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/six-tips-for-fighting-rising-prescription-drug-costs-2015-09-15
The second article is how taking your prescription drugs can actually save you money.
Click on web link below to read 2nd article:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-taking-your-medicine-can-save-you-money-2015-09-17